Ridge

Ridge is a long zone of relatively high atmospheric pressure.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

"I'm not perfect in the slightest," dagdag pa ni Sage. The way he looks right now is much more of self-contempt. He frowns and his lips are puckered as if he tasted something sour, hating the taste of his own words, that only make me much guiltier that I even made the comment.

And I grow even more confused at his near-outburst. But then, baka ito ang perfect opportunity para sabihin kung ano ang gusto kong sabihin at malaman ang katotohanan naman sa side niya.

"Nakita ko kung paano ka nagpursigi noong high school, Sage," giit ko. "Kahit na para sa iba wala kang ibang ginawa kung hindi ang magpaka-chill or what. When it comes to priorities, you know, and I watched the way you studied, especially noong senior. You seriously took your career goals, very much now."

Once again, he scoffs. "You just didn't want to stop watching me."

Kinagat ko ang labi ko. "It is more like... hindi ko mapigilan na hindi. You've proven everyone wrong with your success now because I know that you refused to go easy on yourself and pushed tirelessly forward. And I know na kaya medyo nag-lay low ang grades mo before senior year ay dahil nagbabalak ka na magsimula ng talyer on your own. And that's... That's the Sage that I had loved. Or rather, the one you've said had been in love with the prospect of love."

Sage turns to look at me and this time, his expression saddened after sighing heavily. "Wala ka talagang kaalam-alam, ano?"

"Huh?"

"As I've said before, you never saw the real me," he remarks. "I've never done or accomplished anything na talagang kinatuwa ko or what. I mean, noong nalaman nila na may relationship ako with our teacher, hindi na tinanggap ng ibang universities ang admissions ko. Since both alumni ang parents ko ng UST at doon din nag-aaral si Ate, and may kakilala sa higher ups, kaya nakapasok ako; and hindi rin naging maganda ang records ng entrance exam ko, kaya dahil din sa kakilala sa loob kaya nakapasok ako for Economics. Talk about last minute changes.

"Also, 'yong talyer? For my parents, doon ako magaling kaya they fund that one at the time na negative na akong makapasok sa universities. It is something that I've only managed well, but even that remained under my parents' names kaya okay lang kahit hindi ako mag-hands on doon. It took me juggling work as an economist na 'di ko gusto, and sideline jobs sa talyer to earn the money for what I truly dreamed to be as a pilot. And when I start to lose again, sinuportahan ako nila Papa at Mama, and ni Ate para lang makapagtapos. And I am lucky to make friends along the way and land on a job. But, in the beginning of it all, the Sage Nathaniel Martinez you knew of, never really get what he wanted until now."

I shiver at how cold he explained everything to me. From top to bottom, narrating what makes him totally vulnerable. And yet... I gulp in hard and whisper, "But that's—"

"Not true?" he interrupts. "Siguro mula sa perspective ng ibang tao na hindi talaga alam ang totoo, pero sa akin... ganoon lahat-lahat. Apparently, my parents stopped expecting things out of me too many times. Siguro dahil I am very different compared kay Ate, and akala ko, back then, that it was a good thing. But I realized na hindi. That's why, I strive to prove them wrong and believe that my decisions are right. I guess they already accept it now with how they no longer bring up the past during meals or gatherings... Pero, para sa akin, something remains off. The past had made everything off that I fear na pagdating ng panahon, I'll no longer find any personal satisfaction at all."

Ngayon ko nalaman na totoo ang kasabihan that you can't really judge a book by its cover. The facade we show people are often another mask to hide the truth. For a person like me who shows whatever I am feeling up my sleeve, hindi ko na-rerealize na madaming tao na hindi katulad ko. For one, exactly that kind of person is bared down right here in front of me. His fears and weaknesses revealed just because he finally snapped with my prejudices.

Masakit sa pakiramdam. Biglang bumigat ang dibdib ko ngayong nakatitig ako sa kanya. Wala ang usual confidece and pride na for the past few dates na pinapakita niya sa akin.

Sa tingin ko, pagkatapos ng lahat ng sinabi niya, mas naintindihan ko kung bakit ayaw niya ma-involve sa isang serious relationship. He keeps people at a distace to keep up the image everyone believes in reality... But then...

Naalala ko bigla 'yong mga pictures niya na nakita ko. 'Yong kasama niya ang mga employees niya sa talyer. 'Yong mga ka-batch niya na nakasama siya through the thick and thin of flying, and even until now in the industry. His smiles back then, I feel his sincerity and genuinity. Are they even fake ones, too? Hindi ba gumaan ang loob niya sa kanila upang malaman ang lahat-lahat nang pinapasan niyang ito?

Perhaps it is all because of my silence and the lack of remark that lead Sage to give a self-deprecating laugh. "I'm sorry," he says, "It has nothing to do with you, in any case. We're done talking about the past."

"No," giit ko, at napatigil siya kaagad upang titigan ako muli. "I mean... Thank you. Thank you for telling me. Lahat-lahat ng iyon. Dahil doon, mas lalo kitang naintindihan."

"Anong naintindihan mo? Na totong wala akong kwentang tao?"

Umiling ako at bahagyang ngumiti. "Hindi. Mas lalo kong naintindihan na totoong perfect ka nga."

He looks at me, exasperated. "Nakinig ka ba talaga sa lahat ng sinabi ko?"

Minsan na nga lang mag-seryoso ang isang Sage Nathaniel Martinez, na siyang madalas bilang ang 'ha' sa kanyang mga tawa... For now, I should probably be honest with him.

"That only proves that you are a perfect human. Having flaws means that you are normal and ordinary. And that alone makes you perfect." I pout, a bit offended at his question. "Why do you even have to phrase it like that?"

"At bakit mukhang ikaw pa 'tong mas galit?"

"Dahil, ikaw naman kasi—"

"Being stubborn can cost you," he remarks. "Pero alam ko na hindi iyon ganoon ka convincing since ako ang nagsabi."

Totoo, but still...

"But still, let me ask again." He clears his throat and this time, when he smiles, gone is his self-hostility, I can't help but denote that this is genuine coming from him. "Think you can take such a person as me seriously?"

I straighten on my seat, and beam a toothy grin. "I'm a hundred and one percent ready for our little tournament. Guess I'm ready to fall in love if you truly think that you can really get me!"

"Hmm..." Sage's eyes follow the curves of my body with a passionate gaze. "Maybe things will really get serious now."

I blush, ducking my head slightly as if to hide. Nakakahiya ang titig niya, parang nakikita niya lahat-lahat, maging buong kaluluwa ko. Or 'di kaya, the way he looks at me feels like he's undressing me bit by bit. But I can't lose just yet! I manage to remark without stammering, "That does nothing for me!"

"I see. So we can put things back on track para malaman kung totoo na almost perfect ang match natin. Begone with that remaining one percent. The long battle has finally began." He fills a new glass with wine and hands it to me. "We've finally come to the aftermath of the two of us finally able to confirm where we're both coming from."

"Okay!" Tumango ako and pinag-clink namin ang aming mga wine glass. "At masaya ako na nagawa mong sabihin sa akin ang lahat-lahat. I guess, nagawa mo iyon dahil nandito tayo, dahil kung sa ibang lugar, panigurado ay nagtimpi ka lang."

"You should come here again," sabi niya. "I don't mind kung gusto mong bumisita ulit dito."

"Ibig-sabihin ba na lahat ng babae na nakaka-one night stand mo ay isang beses mo lamang sinasama rito?"

"Anong sa tingin mo?" The undisguised arrogance is almost so charming as we laugh and we clink our glasses together another time.

Mukhang hahayaan ako sa aking imagination about that one, and the good thing is that, I have received the go-signal from him to visit whenever. Noong nagsimula na ulit kaming kumain, pagkatapos no'ng "sharing" niya, nagkaroon naman ako nang lakas ng loob na tanungin siya.

"Okay lang ba na magtanong?" I start.

"Sige lang. Good mood ako ngayon, kaya sasagutin ko kahit ano pa iyang tanong mo."

Though aminado ako na medyo na-tempt akong tanungin siya ulit about doon sa ilang babae na ang nakasama niya rito or what, hindi ko na kailangan pa alamin 'yong past niya na iyon. I ask the first thing that crossed my mind, "Bakit crabs?"

Nasamid pa si Sage noong narinig ang tanong ko. "That's... Iyon 'yong tanong mo? Mas curious ka pa tungkol doon?!"

"Oo." Tumango ako. Actually, hindi rin ako makapaniwala na iyon 'yong unang lalabas sa mga labi ko na tanong. "Akala ko na since may aquarium ka, mag-aalaga ka ng mga isda."

"Makulit ang mga isda. Langoy nang langoy," sagot niya. Parang naka-get over na siya sa kakaiba kong tanong. "Bihira gumalaw ang mga crabs, kaya less distraction sila during sex."

"Iyon 'yong dahilan mo?!" Napatingin ako pabalik doon sa tank at halata na madami-dami ang gravel at sand. Malinis kahit may mga kaunti na plants. Maging 'yong lighting and temperature system looks perfect, also... It really looks like he actually dotes on them. Smiling, I ask, "May pangalan ba sila?"

"Oo naman."

"Hmm... like 'Crabbie'?"

He snorts.

"Crangela? Cramanda? Cramela?"

Umiling si Sage. "Hindi. At bakit lahat is based naman sa pangalan ng babae?"

"Well, pakiramdam ko lang..."

"Hindi ko rin sasabihin sa iyo if ever nakuha mo. Hindi kita girlfriend."

"Oh, come on!"

He eyes me and smirk knowingly. "Sasabihin ko sa iyo if you sleep with me."

"Ang weird naman ng deal mo," I pout.

First time ko makarinig at makakilala ng isang lalaki na gagamitin ang sex as a bargaining chip para lang sa pangalan ng pet niya.

It might be so unbelievably stupid, but, to be honest, I find myself enjoying the ridiculousness of it all.

☆ ☆ ☆

"That was really good..." I remark with a content smile as I help him with cleaning the table and Sage offers to clean up the dishes.

Ngayong napa-isip ako, na-realize ko na medyo weird lahat ng ito. I am happy and enjoying my time with him and also maging 'yong kung gaano kasarap siya magluto... and I feel the most satisfied. I am really, genuinely happy.

Siguro dahil ibang-iba na kung kumilos si Sage ngayon after lahat nang sinabi niya tungkol sa past niya. It is all so different compared to back then. It feels like we're slowly building a real relationship.

After cleaning up our dinner, I return to watching the crabs, just about the same time that Sage comes back after cleaning the dishes. At that, kaagad kong sabi sa kanya, "Medyo late na. Much better na umuwi na ako."

"Ano? I just prepared the bath and a room, don't you want to get in?" tanong niya pabalik.

Kaagad akong namula at nauutal kong sagot sa kanya, "A-Ano? Bakit ko gagawin iyon?!"

"Bakit hindi? Pumunta at kumain ka sa tinitirhan ng lalaki na gustong makipag-sex sa iyo. Gaano kataas ba ang pride mo kung i-tuturn down mo lang din siya pagkatapos ng lahat ng iyon?" Ngumisi siya, halatang mapanukso.

"Same pa rin ang sagot ko, at mas matatag ang paninindigan ko. Thank you very much! For now, friends tayo; that's why, sex is not happening."

"Friends? Then, let's be 'friends with some benefits'."

"Hindi ako ganoong klase na kaibigan. I am going home!" Kinuha ko naman ang bag ko at nag-aakma na aalis na. "I'm definitely going home!"

"Sayang. May hinanda pa naman akong special para sa iyo." Huminga siya ng malalim at may dinukot sa bulsa. He shows a small package between his fingers.

My eyes widen at that. "Is that—?!"

Katulad no'ng doon sa hotel key, linagay niya 'yong "something special" na iyon sa palad ko. "I'm ready and waiting."

"H-Hindi mangyayari!" I shove it back at him.

His face breaks into a much teasing smile. "Sayang naman talaga, oh. Hindi naman iyon ang dahilan kung bakit kita yinaya rito ngayon. Tawagan kita ng taxi?"

"Pwede naman ako mag-MRT and LRT na lang," giit ko.

"Sure?"

"Yes. So, I'll be going then—"

"Wait." He grabs my hand as I head out to the door. "For our next date, let's do Saturday."

I blink. "Saturday?"

"Kung hindi ka pwede, then Sunday. Any day, whenever you are available. Sabihan mo lang ako."

"Pwede tayo magkita any day at all?"

"Well, not any day at all, but may lugar akong gustong puntahan ng mga around lunchtime, if ever."

"May work ako with Wednesday evening until Sunday morning. Kaya 'di ako available ng weekend, if that's the case."

"I see. Siguro narinig na kita through the radio, pero 'di ko lang na-rerecognize na ikaw iyon."

"Same at my end. But really, kung okay lang sa iyo na—"

"Then, how about Monday?" he interrupts. "Okay na ba sa iyo?"

"'Di ako pwede this coming week. Aasikasuhin ko 'yong renewal for my medical. But next Monday, I'll be free by then."

"Got it. I'll be in contact, and you can send me the details ng address niyo sa bahay. I'll be picking you up."

"Okay."

Our conversation is over, pero mukhang ayaw pa ako pakawalan ni Sage kaagad-agad. Hawak-hawak niya pa rin ang kamay ko at tinitigan niya ako.

"Samahan kita hanggang sa may lobby," sabi niya.

"Hindi kailangan. Siguro na makakauwi naman ako. But..."

"Let me. How about hanggang sa MRT station?"

"That's beyond. And baka mag-jeep ako patungo sa station."

Dahan-dahan niyang binitawan ang kamay ko at nagpasama ako hanggang saan niya willing akong samahan, which ended up until the end of Verity's road to the main line kung saan dumadaan ang mga jeep patungong Shaw or 'di kaya Ortigas. All the while, I realize his intention is the same as mine.

I want to talk with him more, pero kapag nagtagal pa ako lalo, baka hindi ko na gustuhin pa na umalis. At baka mauwi pa sa kung ano...

Nararamdaman ko na 'yong feelings ko for Sage had been changing to something different. A softer and warmer one. I reluctantly turn to leave, but not before telling him that I'd see him again.

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A/N: I am currently here at La Union for my PPL renewal check ride, and I'll be telling you news of it by next week. For now, wish me luck!

Vote, comment and share! 👀 Also, follow me on twitter @23meraki for more updates, trivia about the story, aesthetic boards, and etc. Love, love, love! <3

UPDATED: 25 May 2024 | 1415H

#FLIGHTseries02 || #FSFlightDeck